Types of Mammograms
Doctors recommend that women over the age of 40 receive an annual mammogram to detect for abnormalities in the breast. Before setting an appointment, it is important to speak with your physician regarding the different types of mammograms.
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Background
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Mammography is an examination of the breasts done by X-rays. This thorough breast examination, called a mammogram, searches for abnormalities in the breast tissue. These abnormalities include lumps in the breast tissue, thickening of the breast tissue, or significant changes in the size or shape of the breast.
Screening Mammogram
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A screening mammogram is given to women who have no complaints of breast pain or breast abnormalities, and no symptoms of breast cancer, such as a hard lump in the breast or dimpling of the breast skin. The purpose of the screening mammogram is to detect breast abnormalities in their early stages. The screening mammogram involves taking x-rays from two different views of each breast.
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Diagnostic mammogram
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A diagnostic mammogram is given when a woman has detected an abnormality in the breast tissue, or is noticing symptoms of breast cancer. This examination is much more thorough and involves several x-rays of both breasts. A diagnostic mammogram would be used to determine the exact location and size of the abnormality in the breast tissue.
Time Frame
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A screening mammogram can be completed quickly, in less than 15 minutes. Because the diagnostic mammogram is more extensive, it takes a bit more time to complete; the diagnostic mammogram can be done in about 30 minutes.
Digital Mammography
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The FDA approved a new type of mammogram in 2000 called digital mammography. With this technique, X-rays of the breast tissue are recorded on a computer, instead of on film. Digital mammography reduces the patient's exposure to radiation and is often the preferred type of mammogram.
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